U.S. patent application number 13/562451 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-07 for electronic device having slide-tilt operation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The applicant listed for this patent is Sung-wook CHOI. Invention is credited to Sung-wook CHOI.
Application Number | 20130058048 13/562451 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46934411 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130058048 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHOI; Sung-wook |
March 7, 2013 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING SLIDE-TILT OPERATION
Abstract
An electronic device includes a first body and a second body
that may be disposed in a first position in which the second body
overlaps the first body, a second position in which the second body
is slid from the first body, and a third position in which the
second body is tilted with respect to the first body, and includes
an exposure prevention member that prevents a flexible connection
member that electrically connects the first and second bodies from
being externally exposed when the first and second bodies are
disposed in the third position.
Inventors: |
CHOI; Sung-wook;
(Seongnam-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CHOI; Sung-wook |
Seongnam-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
46934411 |
Appl. No.: |
13/562451 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/727 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/0216 20130101;
G06F 1/1681 20130101; H04M 1/0274 20130101; H04M 1/0237 20130101;
G06F 1/1683 20130101; G06F 1/1624 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/727 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/16 20060101
H05K007/16; H05K 7/14 20060101 H05K007/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 7, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0090735 |
Claims
1. An electronic device comprising: a first body comprising a first
printed circuit board (PCB); a second body comprising a second PCB,
and the second body being moveable between a first position at
which the second body at least partially overlaps the first body, a
second position at which the second body is extended from the first
body, and a third position at which the second body is rotated with
respect to the first body; a slide member disposed between the
first and second bodies, the slide member being rotatably coupled
to the first body and slidably coupled the second body; a flexible
connection member to electrically connect the first and second
PCBs; a first opening formed in an upper surface of the first body,
the connection member extending through the first opening; a second
opening formed in a lower surface of the second body, the
connection member extending through the second opening, the upper
surface of the first body and the lower surface of the second body
being adjacent to and facing each other when the second body is
disposed at the first position, and the first opening and the
second opening being disposed at opposite sides of the first
surface and second surface, respectively, when the second body is
disposed at the first position; and an exposure prevention member
disposed to prevent the connection member from being exposed
between the first opening and the second body when the second body
is disposed at the third position, the exposure prevention member
rotating together with the slide member.
2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a rotation
shaft about which the second body rotates to the third position;
and a protection member disposed between the exposure prevention
member and the rotation shaft to form together with the exposure
prevention member a space through which the connection member
passes, the protection member rotating together with the slide
member.
3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the protection member
prevents the connection member from interfering with the rotation
shaft when the second body is disposed at the first position, the
second position, and the third position.
4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first opening is
covered by the slide member when the second body is disposed at the
first position and the second position, and wherein the second
opening is covered by the slide member when the second body is
disposed at the second position and the third position.
5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the second opening is
formed behind a front surface of the second body and is covered by
the first body when the second body is disposed at the first
position.
6. An electronic device comprising: a first body comprising a first
printed circuit board (PCB); a hinge unit comprising a fixed plate
fixed to the first body, a rotation shaft connected to the fixed
plate, and a rotating plate being rotatable about the rotation
shaft; a slide member connected to the rotating plate and being
rotatable about the rotation shaft with respect to the first body;
a second body comprising a second PCB, the second body being
slidably connected to the slide member, and the second body being
moveable between a first position at which the second body overlaps
the first body, a second position at which the second body is slid
on the slide member and extended from the first body, and a third
position in which the second body is tilted with respect to the
first body according to a rotation of the slide member; a flexible
connection member to electrically connect the first and second
PCBs; a first opening formed in an upper surface of the first body,
the connection member extending through the first opening, and the
first opening being covered by the slide member if the second body
is disposed at one of the first position and the second position; a
second opening formed in a lower surface of the second body, the
connection member extending through the second opening, and the
second opening being covered by the slide member when the second
body is disposed at one of the second position and the third
position; and an exposure prevention member connected to the slide
member to prevent the connection member from being exposed when the
second body is disposed at the third position.
7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the second opening is
located behind a front surface of the second body and is covered by
the first body when the second body is disposed at the first
position.
8. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the connection member
passes through the first opening at a rear side of the rotation
shaft.
9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the exposure
prevention member extends through the first opening into the first
body.
10. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising a
protection member to prevent interference between the rotation
shaft and the connection member.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the protection
member rotates together with the slide member.
12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the protection
member prevents the connection member from being exposed to a front
side of the electronic device when the second body is disposed at
the third position.
13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the protection
member extends from the slide member through the first opening into
the first body.
14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the protection
member extends between the exposure prevention member and the
rotation shaft to form together with the exposure prevention member
a space through which the connection member passes.
15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the protection
member prevents the connection member from interfering with the
rotation shaft when the second body is disposed at the first
position, the second position, and the third position.
16. An electronic device comprising: a first body comprising a
first printed circuit board (PCB); a second body comprising a
second PCB; a slide member slidably connected to the second body; a
hinge unit to rotatably connect the slide member and the first
body; and an exposure prevention member extending from the slide
member into the first body when the slide member is rotated with
respect to the first body.
17. The electronic device of claim 16, further comprising a
protection member extending from the slide member into the first
body when the slide member is rotated with respect to the first
body, the protection member being disposed between the exposure
prevention member and the hinge unit.
18. The electronic device of claim 17, further comprising a
flexible connection member to electrically connect the first PCB
and the second PCB, the flexible connection member extending
between the first body and the second body via a space between the
exposure prevention member and the protection member.
19. An electronic device comprising: a first body comprising a
first printed circuit board (PCB) and a top surface including a
first opening; a second body comprising a second PCB and a bottom
surface including a second opening and facing the top surface of
the first body; a slide member slidably connected to the second
body; a hinge unit to rotatably connect the slide member and the
first body; and a flexible connection member to connect the first
PCB and the second PCB, the flexible connection member extending
from the first PCB, through the first opening and the second
opening, and to the second PCB.
20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the first body and
second body are disposable in a first position in which the second
body covers the first body, a second position in which the second
body is slid on the slide member to expose at least a portion of
the top surface of the first body; and a third position in which
the second body is slid to expose a portion of the top surface of
the first body and rotated with respect to the first body.
21. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein, when the first body
and the second body are disposed in one of the first position and
second position, the connection member comprises a surplus part
disposed in the first body, the surplus part being to allow the
rotation of the second body with respect to the first body without
damaging the connection between the connection member and the first
PCB.
22. The electronic device of claim 20, where, when the first body
and the second body are disposed in the first position, the
connection member extends from the first opening to the second
opening and between the first body and the second body, the first
opening and second opening being disposed at opposite end portions
of the device when the first body and the second body are disposed
in the first position.
23. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein, when the first body
and the second body are disposed in one of the second position and
the third position, the connection member comprises a bent part
disposed in the second body, the bent part comprising a portion of
the connection member that extends from the first opening to the
second opening and between the first body and the second body when
the first body and the second body are disposed in the first
position.
24. An electronic device comprising: a first body having a first
printed circuit board (PCB); a second body having a second printed
PCB; a slide member rotatably mounted to the first body to slide
with respect to the second body; and a hinge unit mounted on the
first body to rotate the slide member and the second body with
respect to the first body.
25. The electronic device of claim 24, further comprising: a
flexible connection member to connect the first PCB and the second
PCB, the flexible connection member having a portion disposed at
least partially around the hinge unit; and an exposure preventing
member disposed around the portion of the flexible connection
member.
26. The electronic device of claim 24, further comprising: a
flexible connection member to connect the first PCB and the second
PCB, the flexible connection member having a portion exposed
between the slide member and the first body; and an exposure
prevention member disposed to cover the exposed portion of the
flexible connection member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from and the benefit 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0090735,
filed on Sep. 7, 2011, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office,
the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present general inventive concept relates to an
electronic device that has two bodies capable of moving between an
overlapping position and a slid-and-tilted position according to a
slide-tilt operation.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] From among electronic devices, such as a communication
terminal, a game console, a multimedia device, a laptop computer,
and a tablet computer, particularly, a portable mobile device
includes a display unit for visually providing information and a
manipulation unit for manipulating the portable mobile device. The
display unit and the manipulation unit may be separately mounted on
two different bodies of the device. By sliding and tilting the
bodies, the manipulation unit, the display unit, or both may be
switched between an operation state for allowing a user to use the
portable mobile device and a pause state for carrying or holding
the portable mobile device.
[0006] As such, a connection member for electrically connecting the
two bodies when the bodies are separated is required. The
connection member is used to transmit electrical signals and power
between the two bodies. If the connection member is externally
exposed, the appearance of a product may be diminished. Also, if
the connection member is externally exposed, the connection member
may be damaged by an external impact.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present general inventive concept provides an electronic
device of which two bodies are capable of sliding and tilting and
in which a flexible connection member for electrically connecting
the two bodies is not externally exposed.
[0008] Additional features and utilities of the present general
inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description
which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description,
or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept.
[0009] According to features and utilities of the present general
inventive concept, there is provided an electronic device including
a first body including a first printed circuit board (PCB); a
second body including a second PCB, and the second body being
moveable between a first position at which the second body at least
partially overlaps the first body, a second position at which the
second body is extended from the first body, and a third position
at which the second body is rotated with respect to the first body;
a slide member disposed between the first and second bodies, the
slide member being rotatably coupled to the first body and slidably
coupled the second body; a flexible connection member to
electrically connect the first and second PCBs; a first opening
formed in an upper surface of the first body, the connection member
extending through the first opening; a second opening formed in a
lower surface of the second body, the connection member extending
through the second opening, the upper surface of the first body and
the lower surface of the second body being adjacent to and facing
each other when the second body is disposed at the first position,
and the first opening and the second opening being disposed at
opposite sides of the first surface and second surface,
respectively, when the second body is disposed at the first
position; and an exposure prevention member disposed to prevent the
connection member from being exposed between the first opening and
the second body when the second body is disposed at the third
position, the exposure prevention member rotating together with the
slide member.
[0010] The electronic device may further include a rotation shaft
about which the second body rotates to the third position, and a
protection member disposed between the exposure prevention member
and the rotation shaft to form together with the exposure
prevention member a space through which the connection member
passes, the protection member rotating together with the slide
member.
[0011] The protection member may prevent the connection member from
interfering with the rotation shaft when the second body is
disposed at the first position, the second position, and the third
position.
[0012] The first opening may be covered by the slide member when
the second body is disposed at the first position and the second
position, and the second opening may be covered by the slide member
when the second body is disposed at the second position and the
third position.
[0013] The second opening may be formed behind a front surface of
the second body and may be covered by the first body when the
second body is disposed at the first position.
[0014] According to features and utilities of the present general
inventive concept, there is provided an electronic device including
a first body including a first printed circuit board (PCB); a hinge
unit including a fixed plate fixed to the first body, a rotation
shaft connected to the fixed plate, and a rotating plate being
rotatable about the rotation shaft; a slide member connected to the
rotating plate and being rotatable about the rotation shaft with
respect to the first body; a second body including a second PCB,
the second body being slidably connected to the slide member, and
the second body being moveable between a first position at which
the second body overlaps the first body, a second position at which
the second body is slid on the slide member and extended from the
first body, and a third position in which the second body is tilted
with respect to the first body according to a rotation of the slide
member; a flexible connection member to electrically connect the
first and second PCBs; a first opening formed in an upper surface
of the first body, the connection member extending through the
first opening, and the first opening being covered by the slide
member if the second body is disposed at one of the first position
and the second position; a second opening formed in a lower surface
of the second body, the connection member extending through the
second opening, and the second opening being covered by the slide
member when the second body is disposed at one of the second
position and the third position; and an exposure prevention member
connected to the slide member to prevent the connection member from
being exposed when the second body is disposed at the third
position.
[0015] The second opening may be located behind a front surface of
the second body and may be covered by the first body when the
second body is disposed at the first position.
[0016] The connection member may pass through the first opening at
a rear side of the rotation shaft.
[0017] The exposure prevention member may extend through the first
opening into the first body.
[0018] The electronic device may further include a protection
member to prevent interference between the rotation shaft and the
connection member.
[0019] The protection member may rotate together with the slide
member.
[0020] The protection member may prevent the connection member from
being exposed to a front side of the electronic device when the
second body is disposed at the third position.
[0021] The protection member may extend from the slide member
through the first opening into the first body.
[0022] The protection member may extend between the exposure
prevention member and the rotation shaft to form together with the
exposure prevention member a space through which the connection
member passes.
[0023] The protection member may prevent the connection member from
interfering with the rotation shaft when the second body is
disposed at the first position, the second position, and the third
position.
[0024] According to features and utilities of the present general
inventive concept, there is provided an electronic device including
a first body including a first printed circuit board (PCB); a
second body including a second PCB; a slide member slidably
connected to the second body; a hinge unit to rotatably connect the
slide member and the first body; and an exposure prevention member
extending from the slide member into the first body when the slide
member is rotated with respect to the first body.
[0025] According to features and utilities of the present general
inventive concept, there is provided an electronic device including
a first body including a first printed circuit board (PCB) and a
top surface including a first opening; a second body including a
second PCB and a bottom surface including a second opening and
facing the top surface of the first body; a slide member slidably
connected to the second body; a hinge unit to rotatably connect the
slide member and the first body; and a flexible connection member
to connect the first PCB and the second PCB, the flexible
connection member extending from the first PCB, through the first
opening and the second opening, and to the second PCB.
[0026] According to features and utilities of the present general
inventive concept, there is provided an electronic device including
a first body having a first printed circuit board (PCB); a second
body having a second printed PCB; a slide member rotatably mounted
to the first body to slide with respect to the second body; and a
hinge unit mounted on the first body to rotate the slide member and
the second body with respect to the first body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] These and/or other features and utilities of the present
general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily
appreciated from the following description of the exemplary
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of
which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic device
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an electronic device
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an electronic device
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connection between a
hinge unit and a slide member according to exemplary embodiments of
the present general inventive concept;
[0033] FIGS. 6 through 8 are side views respectively showing when a
second body is disposed at a first position, a second position, and
a third position according to exemplary embodiments of the present
general inventive concept;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a connection member
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a connection member
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connection member
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept; and
[0037] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a connection member
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of
which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. Exemplary
embodiments are described below in order to explain the present
general inventive concept while referring to the figures.
[0039] As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0040] FIGS. 1 through 3 are perspective views of an electronic
device according to exemplary embodiments of the present general
inventive concept. Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device
includes a first body 1 and a second body 2. The second body 2 may
be disposed at a first position in which the second body 2 entirely
or at least partially overlaps with the first body 1, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, a second position in which the second body 2
slides and is dislocated from the first body 1, as illustrated in
FIG. 2, and a third position in which the second body 2 tilts, or
is tilted, with respect to the first body 1 from the second
position, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an image display window 3 is
formed on or disposed at an upper surface 21 of the second body 2,
which is opposite to a lower surface 22 of the second body 2, which
faces the first body 1. Image information may be provided on the
image display window 3 by a display unit 31 (see FIG. 6) included
in the second body 2. The display unit 31 may be, for example, a
liquid crystal display device, plasma display device, a flat panel
display device using an organic light-emitting diode, or the like.
A manipulation unit 4 may be formed on or disposed at an upper
surface 11 of the first body 1, which faces the lower surface 22 of
the second body 2. The manipulation unit 4 may be, for example, a
keyboard, buttons, a touch pad, touch screen, or the like for
operating the electronic device.
[0042] Although not shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, keys or buttons for
manipulating the electronic device when the second body 2 is
disposed at the first or closed position may be formed on the upper
surface 21 or a side surface of the second body 2, or a lower
surface or a side surface of the first body 1. Also, although not
shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a speaker that outputs sound may be
formed on the first body 1 and/or the second body 2. In addition, a
various-standard input/output port (not shown) for inputting and
outputting audio signals and image signals and for connecting the
electronic device to an external device, and a power supply port
(not shown) for supplying power may be formed on the first body 1
and/or the second body 2.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the electronic device
when the second body 2 is disposed at the third position according
to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a
slide-tilt unit according to exemplary embodiments of the present
general inventive concept. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the
slide-tilt unit includes a hinge unit 5 and a slide member 6. The
hinge unit 5 is an assembly in which a fixed plate 51 and a
rotating plate 52 are rotatably connected. The hinge unit 5 may
include a rotation shaft 53 disposed between the fixed plate 51 and
the rotating plate 52. A plurality of members for providing a
friction resistance when the rotating plate 52 rotates, e.g., an
elastic member, may be coupled to the rotation shaft 53. The fixed
plate 51 is fixed to, for example, the first body 1, and the
rotating plate 52 rotates about the rotation shaft 53 if a force
greater than the friction resistance is applied to the rotating
plate 52. Although only one hinge unit 5 is illustrated in FIG. 5,
as illustrated in FIG. 4, two or more hinge units 5 may be formed
if desired. Aspects need not be limited to the above, for example,
the hinge unit 5 may be formed by fixing the rotation shaft 53 to
the fixed plate 51, and rotatably coupling the rotating plate 52 to
the rotation shaft 53.
[0044] The slide member 6 is connected to the rotating plate 52 via
a hinge bracket 61. The hinge bracket 61 may be connected to the
rotating plate 52 by using, for example, screws. The slide member 6
may connected to the hinge bracket 61. However, the connection
between the slide member 6 and the rotating plate 52 need not
limited thereto and the slide member 6 may be directly connected to
the rotating plate 52.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, wings (protrusions) 62 are formed or
disposed at at least one side of the slide member 6. Referring to
FIG. 4, a pair of guide grooves 23 into which the protrusions 62
are inserted are formed in the lower surface 22 of the second body
2. The protrusions 62 may be disposed at opposite sides of the
slide member 6 and may be disposed outside of the hinge brackets
61. If the protrusions 62 of the slide member 6 are inserted into
the guide grooves 23, the second body 2 is connected to the slide
member 6 so as to be slidable on the slide member 6. The
protrusions 62 and the guide grooves 23 may have complementary
shapes such that the protrusions 62 fit within the guide grooves 23
and are slideable therein. For example, the protrusions 62 may be
L-shaped or T-shaped and extend away from a surface of the sliding
member 6 attached to the hinge bracket 61 to be inserted into the
guide grooves 23 having an L-shape or T-shape in which the L-shaped
or T-shaped protrusions 62 may be slideable. Further, the
protrusions 62 may have an L-shape while the guide grooves 23 have
a T-shape but aspects are not limited thereto. Although illustrated
in FIGS. 4 and 5 as being at opposite sides of the slide member 6,
features and utilities are not limited thereto such that the
protrusions 62 and the guide grooves 23 may disposed anywhere along
the slide member 6 and the second body 2, respectively, such that
the second body 2 may be slidable with respect to the first body 1
and/or the slide member 6. Also, features and utilities are not
limited to multiple protrusions 62 and guide grooves 23 being
included in the electronic device according to the present general
inventive concept such that there may be only one protrusion 62 and
one guide groove 23.
[0046] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the second body 2 disposed at
the first or closed position with respect to the first body 1. FIG.
7 is a side view showing the second body 2 at the second or slid
position with respect to the first body 1. FIG. 7 is a side view
showing the second body 2 at the third or slid-and-tilted position
with respect to the first body 1. Referring to FIG. 6, the second
body 2 is disposed at the first position at which the second body 2
overlaps the first body 1. In this state, a user may carry or hold
the electronic device. Also, if keys or buttons for manipulating
the electronic device are formed on the upper surface 21 or the
side surface of the second body 2, or the lower surface or the side
surface of the first body 1, the user may use at least some
functions of the electronic device by manipulating such keys or
buttons.
[0047] The user may push the second body 2 to slide the second body
2 to the second position, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The second body
2 is guided by the guide grooves 23 and the wings 62 to slide on
the slide member 6, and moves the second body 2 to the second
position to expose the manipulation unit 4. In this state, the user
may use functions of the electronic device by manipulating the
manipulation unit 4.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the user may grab an upper portion
of the second body 2 and may raise or tilt the second body 2 with
respect to the first body 1 such that the upper surface 11 of the
first body 1 and the upper surface 21 of second body 2 form an
angle less than 180.degree.. The second body 2 is connected to the
rotating plate 52 of the hinge unit 5 via the slide member 6.
Accordingly, the second body 2 rotates about the rotation shaft 53
to the third position, as illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0049] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a connection member when
the second body 2 is disposed at the first position according to
exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept.
Referring to FIG. 9, a first printed circuit board (PCB) 81 is
provided in the first body 1, and a second PCB 82 is provided in
the second body 2. The first PCB 81 may be, for example, a control
circuit board for controlling operation of the electronic device
according to a manipulation signal of the manipulation unit 4. The
second PCB 82 may be, for example, a PCB for controlling the
display unit 31, or a PCB of the display unit 31. The first PCB 81
and the second PCB 82 may have one or more semiconductor chips, for
example, semiconductor memory chips or processor chips, and
electrical components to perform the functions of the electronic
device.
[0050] The first and second PCBs 81 and 82 are electrically
connected to each other. Referring to FIG. 9, the first and second
PCBs 81 and 82 are connected to each other by a connection member
100 having flexibility, for example, a flexible printed circuit
(FPC). One end of the connection member 100 is connected to a
connector 91 of the first PCB 81, and the other end is connected to
a connector 92 of the second PCB 82.
[0051] A first opening 121 that penetrates the upper surface 11 of
the first body 1 is formed in a rear portion of the first body 1,
i.e., a portion behind the hinge unit 5. The first opening 121 is
at a position at which the first opening 121 is covered by the
slide member 6 when the second body 2 is at the first position and
the second position. A second opening 122 that penetrates the lower
surface 22 of the second body 2 is formed in a front portion of the
second body 2, i.e., a portion opposite to the hinge unit 5. The
second opening 122 may be formed at a position slightly behind a
front surface 24 of the second body 2. As will be described below,
the second opening 122 is at a position at which the second opening
122 is covered by the slide member 6 when the second body 2 is at
the second position and the third position.
[0052] A first end of the connection member 100 is connected to the
connector 91 of the first PCB 81. The connection member 100 extends
forward and then backward to form a surplus part 101, and extends
out of the first body 1 through the first opening 121. For example,
the connection member 100 extends away from the connector 91 in a
direction opposite from the first opening 121 and is bent or curved
to extend to and through the first opening 121. The connection
member 100 extends between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 and
then into the second body 2 through the second opening 122, and
extends backward and then forward to form a bent part 102. For
example, the connection member 100 may exit the first opening 121,
extend away from both the first opening 121 and the second opening
122, bend or curve toward the second opening 122, bend or curve to
extend beyond the connector 92, and then bend or curve back to
connect to the connector 92. A second end of the connection member
100 is connected to the connector 92 of the second PCB 82. As such,
the connection member 100 disposed between the first and second
PCBs 81 and 82 may have a general "W" shape.
[0053] Due to the above-described configuration, when the second
body 2 is disposed at the first position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6,
and 9, the connection member 100 is disposed in the first body 1,
between the slide member 6 and the second body 2, between the first
and second bodies 1 and 2, and in the second body 2. Also, the
first opening 121 is covered by the slide member 6, and the second
opening 122 formed in the lower surface 22 of the second body 2 is
covered by the first body 1 because the first and second bodies 1
and 2 overlap with each other. Accordingly, the connection member
100 is not externally exposed.
[0054] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a connection member
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept. If the second body 2 is pushed backward to place the
second body 2 at the second position, the connection member 100
that extends between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 is pushed
into the second body 2 through the second opening 122. Then, as
illustrated in FIG. 10, the bent part 102 of the connection member
100 moves backward and thus the connection member 100 pushed into
the second body 2 is accommodated in the second body 2. For
example, as the second body 2 is moved from the first position to
the second position, the portion of the connection member 100
disposed between the first opening 121 and the second opening 122
is accommodated in the second body 2 as the bent part 102. As the
second body 2 moves closer to the second position, the bent part
102 of the connection member 100 accommodated in the second body 2
increases in length. If the second body 2 reaches the second
position, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the connection member 100 is
disposed in the first body 1, between the second body 2 and the
slide member 6, and in the second body 2. Also, the first and
second openings 121 and 122 are covered by the slide member 6.
Accordingly, the connection member 100 is not externally
exposed.
[0055] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connection member
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept. As shown in FIG. 11, the second body 2 is disposed in the
second position. In order to place the second body 2 at the third
position, the second body 2 rotates about the rotation shaft 53 of
the hinge unit 5. When the second body 2 rotates from the second
position to the third position, the connection member 100 is
slightly pulled toward the second body 2 to generate a tensile
force. In order to prevent the connection member 100 from being
broken or being separated from the connectors 91 and 92 due to the
tensile force, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11, the first end
of the connection member 100 connected to the connector 91 extends
slightly forward and then backward. As such, the connection member
100 has the surplus part 101, and the tensile force generated when
the second body 2 rotates from the second position to the third
position may be absorbed by the surplus part 101.
[0056] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a connection member
according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive
concept. As illustrated in FIG. 12, when the second body 2 is
disposed at the third position, the connection member 100 is
disposed in the first body 1, between the second body 2 and the
slide member 6, and in the second body 2. The second opening 122 is
covered by the slide member 6. However, since the slide member 6
rotates about the rotation shaft 53 and is spaced apart from the
upper surface 11 of the first body 1, the first opening 121 and the
connection member 100 outside the first opening 121 may be
externally exposed. In order to prevent this, referring to FIGS. 9
through 12, an exposure prevention member 130 is formed. The
exposure prevention member 130 rotates together with the slide
member 6. The exposure prevention member 130 has a shape capable of
ensuring a space for passing the connection member 100 between the
exposure prevention member 130 and the rotation shaft 53. The
exposure prevention member 130 is connected to the slide member 6
and extends from the slide member 6 into the first opening 121. An
extending part 131 of the exposure prevention member 130 is
disposed behind and is spaced apart from the rotation shaft 53. As
such, the connection member 100 passes between the rotation shaft
53 of the hinge unit 5 and the exposure prevention member 130
through the first opening 121. Accordingly, even when the
electronic device is viewed from a rear side of the electronic
device, the connection member 100 is covered by the exposure
prevention member 130 and is not externally exposed.
[0057] An elastic member, a washer, etc. for applying a friction
resistance when the rotating plate 52 rotates is coupled to the
rotation shaft 53 of the hinge unit 5. If the connection member 100
contacts the elastic member and the washer, the connection member
100 may be damaged. In order to prevent damage to the connection
member 100, referring to FIGS. 9 through 12, a protection member
140 may be disposed between the rotation shaft 53 and the exposure
prevention member 130. The protection member 140 rotates together
with the slide member 6. The protection member 140 is connected to
the slide member 6 and/or the exposure prevention member 130 and
extends from the slide member 6 into the first opening 121. The
protection member 140 and the exposure prevention member 130 are
spaced apart from each other. The connection member 100 passes
between the protection member 140 and the exposure prevention
member 130 through the first opening 121. As such, by disposing the
protection member 140 between the connection member 100 and the
rotation shaft 53, damage to the connection member 100 may be
prevented due to interference between the connection member 100 and
the rotation shaft 53.
[0058] The protection member 140 may extend to surround a portion
of the rotation shaft 53 so that the connection member 100 does not
contact the rotation shaft 53 when the second body 2 is disposed at
or between the first position, the second position, and the third
position. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 11, since the protection
member 140 is disposed in front of the exposure prevention member
130, the connection member 100 may not be externally exposed at a
front side of the electronic device when the second body 2 is
disposed at the third position.
[0059] As described above, by coupling the exposure prevention
member 130 to the slide member 6 and extending the exposure
prevention member 130 through the first opening 121 to be near the
rotation shaft 53, the connection member 100 may not be exposed at
a rear side of the electronic device when the second body 2 is
disposed at the third position. Also, by disposing the protection
member 140, which forms together with the exposure prevention
member 130 a space through which the connection member 100 passes,
between the exposure prevention member 130 and the rotation shaft
53, interference between the connection member 100 and the rotation
shaft 53 may be prevented. Furthermore, by extending the protection
member 140 through the first opening 121 and rotating the
protection member 140 together with the slide member 6, the
connection member 100 may not be exposed at a front side of the
electronic device when the second body 2 is disposed at the third
position. As such, since the connection member 100 is prevented
from being externally exposed, an overall appearance of the
electronic device may be improved.
[0060] Transposition from the third position to the first position
may be performed oppositely to the transposition from the first
position to the third position. In this case, as the second body 2
slides, the connection member 100 accommodated in the second body 2
is naturally pushed into the space between the first and second
bodies 1 and 2 through the second opening 122.
[0061] Features and utilities of the present general inventive
concept may be applied to a game console, a communication terminal,
a multimedia device for reproducing voice information, or image
information and voice information, a laptop computer, a tablet
computer, etc.
[0062] Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present general
inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in
these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles
and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is
defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *